Palaces of Istanbul: 15 sultan residences and their days off

Istanbul kept palaces for four empires in a row. The Romans, Byzantines, Latins, and Ottomans left behind more than fifteen residences here. Some of them operate as museums with tickets, and some are open for free. Çırağan long ago became a hotel, and Esma Sultan serves as an event venue.

You can actually see them in a few days: almost all of them stand along the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Remember the main thing before your trip: the palaces have different days off. Topkapı is closed on Tuesdays, and the state palaces are closed on Mondays (as of 09/2026, official museum catalog). Plan your route so that Monday doesn't fall on Dolmabahçe or Beylerbeyi.

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What to know before you visit

💡 In short:

• Limit yourself to a few palaces per trip: the rest are far from each other.
• Split your visit by shore: a ferry runs between the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus.
• Buy tickets online: a separate ticket is sold for the Topkapı harem.
• Check opening hours before your trip on the official website of the national palaces.

Below are fifteen palaces worth seeing. Some of them operate as working museums, and some are open around the clock and free of charge. Çırağan long ago became a hotel, and Esma Sultan serves as an event venue with no free entry.

Ticket prices differ for citizens of Turkey and foreign guests, and rates are revised several times a year. Check current amounts on the national palaces pages; here we give rough figures rather than outdated numbers.

1. Topkapı

© Jorge Láscar from Australia · CC BYPhoto: Jorge Láscar from Australia, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Topkapı was built under Sultan Mehmed II in 1479, after the conquest of Constantinople (according to the museum catalog of Turkey). The new palace replaced the Byzantine residence that the Ottomans demolished. The name means "cannon gate": every departure of the sultan was accompanied by a cannon shot.

In essence, it was a city within a city. The complex covers about 700,000 square meters and is divided into four courtyards with service and residential buildings. Twenty-five sultans lived here. At the entrance you'll see a fountain from 1728, then monumental gates, a cypress garden, kitchens with porcelain from the 16th to 19th centuries, and a treasury with jewelry.

• How to get there: tram T1 to the Sultanahmet stop, then walk using a map.
• Cost: entry to the palace and a separate ticket for the harem, check prices on the museum page.
• The catch: in summer the ticket office line gets very long, book a morning slot.

2. Dolmabahçe

© Sergey A. Demidov · CC BYPhoto: Sergey A. Demidov, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Dolmabahçe took more than ten years to build and cost about 5 million gold pounds (according to the national palaces website). The finishing alone used 14 tons of gold and 40 tons of silver. Until 1924 the palace served as the sultans' residence, and later Atatürk used it as a summer residence.

Inside, the Süfera Hall stands out with a handwoven Iranian carpet measuring nine by ten meters. The ceiling is supported by 56 columns, and beneath them hangs a chandelier gifted by Queen Victoria. The walls display forty paintings by Aivazovsky: Sultan Abdülaziz valued his work and awarded the artist a diamond order (according to the Turkish National Palaces Administration).

Tickets to Dolmabahçe and other city museums are easier to book in advance on Tiqets.

• Who it's for: those who want to see Eastern luxury in a single building.
• How to get there: tram T1 to Kabataş, then a 5-minute walk toward the Bosphorus.
• The catch: visitors are admitted in scheduled groups, and entry without a time slot is not guaranteed.

3. Yıldız

© Zafer · CC BY-SAPhoto: Zafer, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Yıldız means "star." The park and palace complex sits on the Bosphorus waterfront and is a favorite walking spot for locals. The palace is separated from the park by an ornate fence and combines several architectural styles.

Palace admission is paid. If you want to stay nearby, take a look at hotels in Beşiktaş. Comparing them is easier on Trip.com.

Inside, the Ceremonial Hall stands out with its star-patterned ceiling and handwoven silk carpet. The Mother-of-Pearl Salon features a door with mother-of-pearl inlay. Unlike other residences, Yıldız was not divided into men's and women's quarters.

4. Maslak

© KalafatElif · CC BY-SAPhoto: KalafatElif, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Maslak consists of palace pavilions built in the late 19th century (according to the Turkish National Palaces Administration). Only four pavilions have survived to this day; the rest did not withstand time. They stand in a large forest park that was once the sultans' hunting residence.

Look for Kasr-ı Hümayun with its attic and balcony: the walls and ceilings of its rooms are covered with frescoes. This was where the sultan's study and bedroom were located. Nearby stands Çadır Köşkü, a wooden octagonal two-story mansion and an example of Ottoman wooden architecture. In Paşalar Dairesi, Turkish baths with rich interiors have been preserved.

• How to get there: metro or bus to Maslak, then walk using a map.
• The catch: part of the estate has been lost, so you won't see a complete palace here.

5. Çırağan

© Jorge Láscar from Australia · CC BYPhoto: Jorge Láscar from Australia, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Çırağan was built in 1876 to a design by architect Balyan, who brought the Moorish style to Istanbul (according to the Turkish museum catalog). The palace was connected to Yıldız by a marble bridge and briefly became Abdülaziz's summer residence. The sultan was soon found dead, and in 1910 a fire nearly destroyed the building.

In 1991 the shell was restored and turned into the Çırağan Palace Kempinski hotel. Only guests and restaurant patrons are allowed inside, but from the outside you can see what a sultan's residence on the Bosphorus looked like.

• Who it's for: those who want to see the palace from the inside as a guest.
• The catch: there is no open admission; the building operates as a hotel.

6. Beylerbeyi

© User:Roweromaniak · CC BY-SAPhoto: User:Roweromaniak, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5), Wikimedia Commons

Beylerbeyi stands on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, in the district of the same name. The palace is considered a prime example of classical baroque: the white marble building is surrounded by magnolias, chestnuts, and laurels, and an airy pedestrian bridge leads to the water. It was built under Abdülaziz in the 1860s as a summer residence for hosting foreign guests (according to the Turkish National Palaces Administration).

Inside there are six state halls and twenty-six rooms. The decor blends European and Eastern elements: Bohemian chandeliers, huge handmade carpets, floor vases, and original clocks. One of the halls has a fountain that worked as an air conditioner.

Tours of the Asian shore are offered by GetYourGuide.

• How to get there: ferry to Üsküdar, then bus to the palace.
• The catch: getting there from the center is harder than reaching the museums of Sultanahmet.

7. Küçüksu

© José Luiz · CC BY-SAPhoto: José Luiz, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Küçüksu stands on the Asian shore by the Göksu River, which flows into the Bosphorus. The palace is called the "younger brother" of Dolmabahçe: both were built by the Armenian Balyan family of architects, and the buildings share a common style and similar decorative details. The building is considered a striking example of Ottoman Baroque with Rococo elements, built in 1856-1857 (according to the Directorate of National Palaces of Turkey).

The garden features a Baroque fountain and a pool. Inside, look for the Baroque staircase, Iranian and Persian carpets, huge mirrors in ornate frames, and chandeliers made of Czech glass. A separate highlight is the table the sultan made with his own hands without a single nail.

• How to get there: bus or taxi along the Asian shore toward Beykoz.
• Who it's for: those who want to see a small palace without big crowds.

8. Tekfur

© Dosseman · CC BY-SAPhoto: Dosseman, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Of the 13th-century Byzantine Blachernae complex, Tekfur is the best preserved part (according to the catalog of museums in Turkey). After the conquest of Constantinople, the Ottomans looted the palace and gave it the name Tekfur, meaning "king." These walls once housed the emperor's residence.

As a sign of contempt for the defeated ruler, a menagerie was set up in its halls: lions, cheetahs, and hyenas took over the imperial rooms. Later, pottery workshops and a homeless shelter operated here. Today, what remains of the palace are walls of white and red brick with tall arches and ornaments.

• Cost: a paid museum now operates here.
• The catch: there is no intact palace, just a fragment of wall among residential buildings.

9. Ihlamur

Ihlamur means "palace under the linden trees." Two buildings stand in a park with centuries-old lindens and were built in the mid-19th century for Sultan Abdülmecid, designed by Balyan, the architect of Dolmabahçe (according to the Directorate of National Palaces of Turkey). The Merasim Pavilion served as a venue for ceremonial meetings with European guests.

European motifs dominate the decor, while the carpets evoke the East. The second pavilion, Mayet, consisted of four halls and served the sultan, his concubines, and courtiers. After restoration, both buildings became museums with permanent exhibitions.

• Who it's for: those who have already seen the main palaces and are looking for a quieter option.
• How to get there: walk from Nişantaşı using a map.

10. Ibrahim Pasha Palace

Ibrahim Pasha Palace stands on Sultanahmet Square. Suleiman the Magnificent gave it to his vizier and friend Ibrahim Pasha as a token of gratitude for his service, and to bind the families, he gave him his sister Hatice in marriage. The building was designed by the architect Sinan in the early 16th century (according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey).

Since 1938, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts has operated here. Its exhibitions have received awards from the Council of Europe and UNESCO: ancient manuscripts from the 8th to 19th centuries, gold, platinum, and silver jewelry, rare stones, and ceramics.

• How to get there: tram T1 to Sultanahmet, then walk.
• Who it's for: those interested in Islamic art rather than palace architecture.

11. Adile Sultan

© alibarisondul · CC BYPhoto: alibarisondul, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Adile Sultan stands in the Asian district of Kandilli. The palace was built for the sister of Sultan Abdulaziz on the site of an old pavilion that her brother Abdulmejid had given her. The new residence surpassed the previous one in beauty and scale, and its area exceeded 5,000 sq m (according to the Turkish National Palaces Administration).

After the fire of 1986, the building was badly damaged, and it was restored only in 2006 with money from philanthropist Sabancı and the alumnae foundation of the lyceum. Princess Adile was a poet, and this is the only residence in the dynasty owned by a woman. Today it houses the Sabancı cultural and educational center.

• How to get there: ferry to Üsküdar, then a taxi to Kandilli.
• The catch: only conference and event participants can go inside.

12. Esma Sultan Palace

© Jose Huwaidi · CC BY-SAPhoto: Jose Huwaidi, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Esma Sultan Palace is named after one of the daughters of Abdul Hamid I. The three-story building was constructed in the late 18th century, and its architecture reflected the "golden age" of Istanbul (according to the Turkish museum catalog). The image of the sultana, free from prejudice, still captures the imagination of city residents and appears in films.

The exterior has been restored according to the original design, while the interior now features modern steel and glass elements. The former residence now belongs to the Marmara hotel chain and serves as a venue for ceremonial and political meetings in Beşiktaş.

• Who it's for: those who want to see how an old palace has been adapted for modern use.
• The catch: there is no permanent museum entrance; it is a private venue.

13. Aynalıkavak

© Phyrexian · CC BY-SAPhoto: Phyrexian, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Aynalıkavak stands on the shore of the Golden Horn in the Hasköy neighborhood. It is the only pavilion that survived from the sultans' summer residence of the 17th to 19th centuries (according to the Turkish National Palaces Administration). A magnificent flower garden in front of the palace highlights the classical Ottoman architecture.

A museum has operated here since 1985. The tall Venetian mirrors in the halls gave the pavilion its second name: Aynalıkavak means "mirror poplars." National musical instruments are displayed in the basement, a tribute to Selim III, the composer sultan.

• How to get there: bus or taxi to Hasköy, then walk toward the water.
• The catch: only one pavilion remains from the entire complex.

14. Palace of Blachernae

The Palace of Blachernae closes out the city's Byzantine line in a neighborhood by the Golden Horn. It was built under Emperor Anastasius at the turn of the 5th and 6th centuries as a suburban residence (according to the Turkish museum catalog). Later Byzantine rulers lived here permanently, so the territory grew and was fortified until it occupied an entire quarter known as the "Golden-Roofed Palace."

The crusaders who arrived in 1204 were struck by the gold tableware, jewels, and marble slabs. After the fall of Byzantium, the area fell into decline. The remaining ruins are lost among residential buildings, and it is hard to judge their former grandeur from them. A walk here still stirs the imagination.

• Cost: viewing the ruins is open and free.
• The catch: these are fragments, not a restored palace.

15. Boukoleon

© User:Matthias Süßen · CC BYPhoto: User:Matthias Süßen, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

All that remains of the Boukoleon Palace is part of a wall on the shore of the Sea of Marmara in Sultanahmet (according to the museum catalog). The complex was built under Emperor Theodosius II in the 5th century: it was first called Hormisdas, and under Justinian it received the name Boukoleon, meaning "bull and lion."

The name comes from the sculptures of a bull and a lion that stood on the shore; today they can be seen in the City History Museum. After the crusader attack, the palace was looted and gradually abandoned. When the railway was laid, part of the structures was dismantled, and now only the remains of the wall with window openings recall the Byzantine era.

• How to get there: T1 tram to Sultanahmet, then walk toward the waterfront.
• The catch: only a piece of the wall survives; there is no full tour to be had.

Istanbul palaces on the map

All the palace locations are collected on one map. Open it and plan your route along the shores of the Bosphorus.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Which Istanbul palaces are open to visitors?

Most operate as museums: Topkapi, Dolmabahce, Beylerbeyi, Kucuksu, Ihlamur, Maslak, Yildiz, Aynali Kavak, and the museum in the Ibrahim Pasha Palace. Ciragan and Esma Sultan have become hotels and private venues, Adile Sultan operates as a cultural center. Tekfur has become a paid museum, while only open-air ruins remain of the Blachernae Palace and Boukoleon.

Which palace should I see first?

Start with Topkapi. It shows the earliest Ottoman residence and is closed on Tuesdays, so a free morning works best. Then take Dolmabahce to compare the austere early architecture with the lavish 19th-century baroque.

When are Istanbul palaces closed?

Each palace's closing day is listed in the table at the beginning of the article. Before your trip, check it on the official website: the schedule changes by season.

Can I visit the palaces with a single ticket?

No, these are separate museums with their own ticket offices, and some tickets are sold online with a time slot. The city pass does not cover all palaces, so check the list on the museum catalog before counting on savings.

How much time should I allow for a visit?

Plan half a day for Topkapi, less for Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi. The small pavilions only need a short stop. Between the shores of the Bosphorus, leave a buffer for the ferry, otherwise the day will fall apart into just travel time.

In short: what's worth booking

The choice depends on what you want to see. Dolmabahce shows Ottoman baroque at its most lavish, Beylerbeyi gives you the same era without the crowds, and the Boukoleon ruins stand empty and free.

• If you have a couple of days: do Topkapi on the first, Dolmabahce on the second.
• If you want quiet: head to the Asian shore for Beylerbeyi and Kucuksu.
• If you're interested in Byzantium: see Tekfur, the Blachernae Palace, and Boukoleon.

Book tickets to the main museums in advance so you don't stand in line at the ticket office. You can compare hotels in Besiktas near the palaces on Trip.com.